AHS' Skypala helps lead West to five-set victory

Posted: Thursday, July 13, 2000

MELINDA WEAVERGlobe-News Correspondent

GRAND PRAIRIE - Shawna Tiffen may have dominated statistically, but Beth Skypala came through in the clutch as two Amarillo girls competed in the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star volleyball game in Grand Prairie Wednesday.

The West team, for which both girls played, came back from a first-match loss to win the match 3-2 in a rally serve fifth game.

Skypala started the game, but the East cruised past the West to a 15-6 victory after an hour wait caused the girls some nerves. Because the game was played in a best-of-five format rather than the three matches played in high school matches, the Division I game, which included teams from 1A, 2A and 3A schools lasted two hours and 45 minutes, resulting in a delay.

"We were waiting around, and the kids got nervous," West coach Vickie Griffin said. "It messed with our minds. But then, the second lineup came through and got the momentum back for the third group."

Tiffen was an instrumental part of the second match as she contributed two kills, four assists and a solo block.

"We played really well in that second match and brought the momentum back to our side," Tiffen said. "We were the louder side. We were getting really excited about every little thing, and that was getting them down."

The West team came back in the second match to win 15-8. Initially, the West jumped to a 7-1 lead, but the East came back to pull within 7-6 before the West put the match away.

After the West grabbed the momentum, they pounded to a 15-3 win in the third match before the East returned the favor, winning the fourth 15-6.

In the rally-serve fifth match where the team doesn't have to have the serve to win the point, the west rallied behind a two-kill performance from Skypala and won 15-8. The West had seven points before the East could score even one.

"We worked hard and had a lot of communication," Skypala said. "I was just playing my hardest and giving 100 percent. I did everything I could for this team."

All in all, both girls said that this was the perfect way to end their high school careers. Skypala finished the game with five kills, and Tiffen had five kills, five assists, a solo block and two block assists.

"It was great getting to know all the girls I have played against all these years," Skypala said. "These are all the people that you fear most when they are on the other side of the net. They are awesome girls and great players."